BOMA’s Decarbonization Symposium Explored Key Issues

International thought leaders across commercial real estate gathered in Washington D.C. on March 14. BOMA International’s Public Policy Symposium on Decarbonization was the impetus for this gathering. From advice on hiring sustainability consultants to code compliance, some of the most pertinent industry issues were brought to the table.

“BOMA International has always been a leader in decarbonization issues, it is something we have talked about behind the scenes, now we’re bringing it out to the public,” said Manny Moreno, Vice Chair of BOMA International. “I think that’s important for us to publicize it, to let our members and other people know what we’re working on, how important it is to us and to our industry.”

The Symposium did just that. Bringing in a variety of collaborators to help make these issues public was clearly top of mind. Members of the GSA (General Services Administration) discussed their agency’s efforts in the built environment and how collaboration can increase the effectiveness of decarbonization efforts. Additionally, Energy Star was represented by Mike Zatz, whose panel was centered on explaining new tools Energy Star is providing to aid decarbonization of buildings.

A large topic of discussion was the fast-approaching goal of net zero cities, and in turn, net zero buildings. For some property owners and managers, regulations are stricter than they can manage. Many cities across North America are aiming for net zero by 2050. Buildings are no small part of the push for net zero. According to a JLL report, on average, buildings account for 60% of a city’s emissions. This means those that own and operate in the built environment must understand effective methods of making new construction net zero and moving existing buildings in the right direction.

A massive part of hitting these lofty net zero goals is finding the right benchmarking tools and portfolio managers, and speakers at the event understood this. One such example would be the Energy Star Portfolio Manager which enables owners and managers to input building data and visualize where they stand in relation to sustainability benchmarks. Another hub for resources on decarbonization is BOMA International’s Carbon Reduction Challenge. This site synthesizes industry resources into a one-stop shop for all things decarbonization.

Visit https://www.boma.org/BOMA/CRC/Resources/ Decarbonization_Resource_Center.aspx.

Reported by Alex Miller, BOMA International Manager,

SavATree has vast experience working with commercial clients to keep their properties safe and beautiful. Count on us for prompt and reliable service, courteous and professional crews, and outstanding cleanup.